Despite the outward appearance of unfinished projects in front of Morris School, officials are saying the campus will be ready for students on their first day of class Monday.

The school has undergone a $1.5 million modernization project, including the installation of new electrical, heating and plumbing systems; new windows; and a renovation of the school’s multipurpose room.

Although the front of the school was still in the throes of landscape installation and the paving of its parking lot Friday afternoon, construction manager Ross Nash said it will all be done by Monday.

”We’ll continue to work through the weekend,” Nash said.

The school’s multipurpose room — which doubles as the school’s gym and cafeteria — and computer room will be finished about a week after school starts, he said, adding that there were termites and other issues that delayed the construction.

District Superintendent Dena McCullough said the school will arrange for students to eat breakfast in various classrooms and lunch outdoors, and no classes will be disrupted. Cleaning crews will be on hand Monday morning to make sure the site is clean for students, she added.

”It will go smoothly on day one,” she said. “We will be ready for the students.”

McCullough said the district has been fielding some calls from concerned parents, but she remains confident that everything will be completed as planned.

”Every day you see such great progress, and it’s amazing,” she said of the site. “The local contractors are doing a great job.”

Danco has overseen the construction.

Teachers who said they had been worried earlier in the week were feeling more confident by Friday.

Some classrooms still had boxes piled here and there, while others already had wall decorations up and desks in the correct formation.

Teachers were allowed into their classrooms for the first time Wednesday afternoon, said kindergarten teacher Jackie Hauger, who was putting the finishing touches on her classroom Friday. She said she’d be ready Monday, adding that others who had to move their classrooms may not be so fortunate.

”The construction work has impaired our productivity,” Hauger said, adding that teachers have had to move things into their classrooms while avoiding debris and equipment. She added that the custodians did put all the desks out in the correct configuration, which helped her set-up tremendously.

First-grade teacher Heidi Winter said she enjoys the new windows in her classroom, which were difficult to open before.

She said she’s more concerned about the construction work going on outside.

”The classroom will be fine, but out there …,” Winter said.

Hauger said one of her main concerns was the safety of the students with construction ongoing, but the district assured her that Nash, who will do the safety inspection, will ensure that everything meets safety standards before the students arrive.

Nash said the construction areas will be marked off to prevent students from entering.

”We’ll have to coordinate that,” he said, adding that all workers will have to sign in at the school’s office and receive a visitor’s pass to ensure school officials are aware of who is on campus.